Darlington Civic Theatre is set to reopen in autumn 2017 as the Darlington Hippodrome after a £13m refurbishment by contractor Willmott Dixon.

Above: Darlington Civic Theatre

Darlington Borough Council appointed Willmott Dixon under Scape’s major works framework to overhaul the Grade II listed Edwardian theatre

Improvements include more seating capacity, better backstage facilities, a new restaurant area and a grander entrance. The project also includes transforming a neighbouring former fire station into a children’s theatre, called The Hullaballoon.